Buy trucks vs hire a trucking company?
Cost breakdown and decision guide from Gateway Distribution in Oregon, OR.
Your shipping volume is growing along Interstate 5 and Interstate 84. Buying trucks and hiring drivers sounds expensive. But so does paying freight companies every month. You're not sure which costs less long-term in Oregon's competitive market.
Most companies underestimate the total cost of owning trucks. You're looking at truck payments, commercial insurance, maintenance, driver wages, benefits, and DOT compliance costs. Add fuel, permits, and downtime when trucks need repairs. The hidden costs add up fast.
Buying trucks makes sense when you ship 40+ loads per month consistently. Below that volume, the fixed costs per shipment get too high. A $80,000 truck with a $1,200 monthly payment costs $14,400 per year before you add insurance, maintenance, or a driver. That's $30 per load if you ship 40 loads monthly, but $120 per load at 10 loads monthly.
Calculate your current monthly shipping volume first. If you're below 40 loads, hub-and-spoke distribution through Gateway Distribution costs less. You pay per shipment with no fixed costs, insurance, or maintenance headaches. Our Oregon routes along Interstate 5 and Interstate 84 connect to our hubs in Cincinnati, New York, and Virginia for efficient freight consolidation.
Once you hit consistent volume above 40 loads monthly, revisit the math. Until then, outsourcing keeps your costs variable and your cash flow predictable. You can focus on growing your business instead of managing trucks and drivers.
Other things people in Oregon ask
freight shipping transit times
LTL typically takes 2-5 business days depending on distance. Full truckload is usually 1-3 days. Expedited can be next day. Weather, holidays, and freight class affect timing. Get a transit time estimate in writing before you book.
how long does hub and spoke shipping take
Hub and spoke adds 1-2 days compared to direct shipping but costs significantly less. Your freight gets consolidated at the hub then moves on optimized routes. Good for non-urgent shipments where cost matters more than speed.
when to book freight shipping
Book LTL 1-2 days ahead for standard service. Full truckload needs 2-5 days notice depending on season. Peak seasons (harvest, back-to-school, holidays) require more lead time. Expedited services can often pick up same day.
Ready to talk?
Gateway Distribution handles hub-and-spoke distribution in Oregon and the area around it.